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Tanzania’s Magufuli sacks drunk minister

If there is one thing Tanzanian President John Magufuli has become known for, it is his intolerance to laziness and extravagance. In April, he suspended the head of the state-run Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), saying the regulator failed in its duty and made the East African country lose potential tax revenues of 400 billion shillings ($182.15 million) every year since 2013. The latest casualty in Magufuli’s transformation process is his home affairs minister.

Charles Kitwanga, who is widely believed to be close to President Magufululi, turned up to parliament drunk, a statement by the presidency said late on Friday , forcing President Magufuli to sack him.

Lawmakers had previously called for Minister Kitwanga’s ouster criticizing his handling of the Home Affairs Ministry.

Kitwanga joins other senior officials, including Ally Simba head of Tanzania Communications Regulatory Agency, head of the government’s anti-graft body, the head of the tax authority and the chief executive of the country’s port authority, who have all been removed by tingatinga, Swahili for bulldozer — a nickname Magufuli got while he was Works Minister.

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